Overview and Prizes
The Hubert E. Storer Start-Up Award provides seed funding for University of Iowa College of Engineering students with entrepreneurial ideas and innovative products. This competition is designed to surface bold engineering thinking and help promising concepts take their next step toward reality.
Finalists present and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges appointed by the Dean of the College of Engineering — similar to the show "Shark Tank" — competing for a share of $10,000 in total prize funding:
Award | Prize Amount |
| 1st Place | $5,000 |
| 2nd Place | $3,000 |
| Honorable Mention (2 awards) | $1,000 each |
All prize funds are awarded solely as seed money to be used toward further development of the winning business concept. Honorable mention recipients are selected from finalists who present at the competition.
The Storer Award is made possible through a generous gift from the late Engineering alumnus and entrepreneur Hubert E. Storer (BSE Industrial Engineering, 1959), founder and president of Storer Equipment Company in Shreveport, LA.
What We're Looking For
This competition prizes engineering innovation first. We are looking for students with original, technically grounded ideas that address a real need, whether the business plan is fully polished or still developing. Strong ideas from early-stage teams are encouraged to apply.
Who Can Apply
- Any currently enrolled University of Iowa College of Engineering student is eligible to compete — undergraduate or graduate, individual or team.
- Solo applicants are welcome. Teams may include up to five students.
- Please list all team members’ names, majors, year in school, and roles on the application.
- International students are welcome to participate and present but are not eligible to receive prize funds. This is because forming or controlling a U.S. LLC on a student visa carries significant legal risk, and direct cash awards can create visa and tax complications. We want to protect you from unintended consequences.
- Students who have previously received a Storer Award may reapply in future years for additional funding.
LLC Requirement for Award Recipients
All award recipients, including honorable mention, must form an Iowa LLC before prize funds are disbursed. Here’s why this matters for you:
Without an LLC
Prize money paid to you personally is treated as income. This can reduce your financial aid award dollar-for-dollar — meaning you could win $5,000 and lose $5,000 in aid. | With an LLC
Funds are paid to your business entity. Your personal financial aid is not affected. The money goes where it’s intended — into your venture. |
Winners have 30 days from the award announcement to form an LLC and submit documentation. Iowa LLC formation costs approximately $50 and can be completed online through the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Questions about this process can be directed to Kalindi Garvin at kalindi-garvin@uiowa.edu.
What to Submit
Applications require three documents, submitted together by the deadline:
Document | Length | What to Include |
| 1. Executive Summary | 1 page | A plain-language overview of your idea: what it is, what problem it solves, who it serves, and why it’s worth building. This is your first impression; write it for a reader who doesn’t know your field. |
| 2. Product Description | 1–2 pages | What the product or service is, its key features and unique benefits, current stage of development, and any intellectual property considerations. |
| 3. Business Plan | 3–5 pages | Market analysis (size, need, target customers, competitors), revenue model, and a specific plan for how the Storer Award funds would be used to advance the project. |
Early-stage teams with strong ideas but developing business plans are encouraged to apply. Judges are instructed to weight engineering innovation and technical merit heavily.
Timeline
- Submissions due: Friday, April 10, 2026 by 11:55 pm through this Qualtrics form
- Presentations will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:00–8:00 pm, Room 3655 Seamans Center
- All applicants who submit complete materials will be invited to present
- Select your presentation time slot at the time of submission
Sample business plans
Contact
If you have any questions prior to submitting this application, please contact Kalindi Garvin at kalindi-garvin@uiowa.edu.
